SAFETY fears over a plan to put up another mobile phone mast in west Wiltshire have led the phone company to meet villagers face to face.

Residents in Upper Westwood are angry about plans by Vodafone to place a 12m pole and base station just metres from homes and a children's nursery.

Letters from residents opposing the plan and a copy of the petition led by the village nursery school have been sent to West Wiltshire District Council.

Vodafone spokesman David Danielli said the company is sensitive to concerns about safety and has a special advisory unit, set up to liaise with people worried about health risks.

He said: "Our installations are many times within international guidelines, not just national ones and those set by the National Radiological Protection Board."

Amanda Burnside, chairman of Westwood Nursery School, said the company should have approached villagers before submitting the planning application.

"A lot of people are worried. Just because someone at Vodafone might tell us it is safe does not mean people would believe it," she said.